Fosters - Shaheen Makes Campaign Stop

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Fosters - Shaheen Makes Campaign Stop
By: Amie Plummer

It was all handshakes and smiles as supporters of former New Hampshire Gov. Jeane Shaheen gathered outside the Governor's Inn Saturday afternoon to meet the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and hear her speak.

State Sen. Jackie Cilley, D-Barrington, introduced the former governor, saying it was time to take the state in a new direction.

"We need someone who will go to the U.S. Senate and work for the rest of us," she said to the cheering crowd. "And that person is Jeane Shaheen."

Shaheen, who is running to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. John Sununu, walked through the crowd to Sheryl Crow's "Change Will Do You Good" as a camera crew, filming her next political ad, circled around her.

"There are only 10 days left until the election," Shaheen said. "We have to work every day to make sure we get everyone out on Nov. 4 to vote."

She said polling as of Saturday morning showed her in the lead, and with help from her supporters, she hopes to remain there.

"We need to be knocking on doors and making phone calls," she said.

Besides getting voters to the polls, her speech focused on the state of the economy and the Democratic mantra of change.

"We need to continue working on policies and changing the system and make it better for the middle class families of New Hampshire," she said. "We can make this country work again."

Shaheen said to help the economy and workers, there needs to be more help for students trying to pay for college.

"Our children need a good education," she said. "We need to simplify the loans we provide for young people and need to make sure they can pay for school so that we have a skilled workforce. And we can't have that without providing the best education possible."

Shaheen said as governor, she provided 66,000 new jobs for New Hampshire residents and balanced budgets.

"We need to restore fiscal responsibility and end no-bid contracts," she said. "John Sununu has voted with Bush 100 percent of the time, with his budgets and his ideas that got us into this mess.

"I'm optimistic though," she added. "I know as Americans that when we have a vision, we've been able to accomplish it. It won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight, but with Barack Obama as president and Jeane Shaheen as senator, we can make these changes and make America work again."

Mary Sandown, 46, of Rochester, attended.

"I've been a Democrat forever and I feel this country needs a change," she said. "I voted for Shaheen for governor and think she'll do an even better job for this state and families in the Senate."

Cynthia Becks, 56, of Dover, echoed the sentiment.

"My family is a big one," she said. "We're having a hard time right now with the economy the way it is. I'm voting for Shaheen and Obama because I don't want more of the same anymore. I can't afford it."

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